Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
After 24 burgers were delivered for a joint lunch with the Forestry Owners Association, the Board of Federated Farmers has given its thumbs-up to McDonald's Serious Lamb Burger.
"As a beef farmer who supplies Angus beef for McDonald's, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their Serious Lamb Burger," commented Federated Farmers President, Bruce Wills.
"My first impression of the burger is that it is huge and looks exactly like what's on the box
"When you bite into it, you unmistakably taste lamb and realise just how much effort McDonald's has put into cracking a difficult meat to cook. They have nailed the perfect lamb burger using export quality New Zealand lamb.
"You can say we have now given the burgers a serious workout with our taste buds.
"To me it is a complete meal. You've got egg, tomato, rocket and beetroot with a sauce that enhances the flavour of lamb. After eating one, you certainly feel rewarded.
"The Board of Federated Farmers is genuinely enthused with what McDonald's is doing for Kiwi lamb.
"When you drive past any McDonald's you see lamb written loud and proud. As a sheep farmer it is heartening, especially given the latest schedule prices.
"These burgers and snack wraps are a great way of turning on a new generation's taste buds to what lamb is and could be. That to us is the big positive of McDonald's involvement," Wills concluded.
Greenlea Premier Meats managing director Anthony (Tony) Egan says receiving the officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) honour has been humbling.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…